Director, Research Business Services

About the Role

The Director is responsible for directing all financial and operational activities associated with industry-sponsored research, investigator-initiated studies, consortium and network studies, and OHRI administrative operations. The Research Business Services team provides core services including clinical trial budget development and negotiation, clinical trial contract negotiation and management, coverage analysis and billing compliance oversight, grant administration and sponsored program support, pre-award and post-award financial management, revenue cycle oversight and financial reporting, research operational accounting and analytics, and research systems administration and support. The Director serves as the leader for Operational Excellence and Process Governance within Research Business Services (RBS), responsible for establishing standardized business processes, performance management systems, process ownership, and continuous improvement practices across RBS functions. This position reports to the Senior Director of Research Operations.

Responsibilities

• Research Pre-Award and Post-Award Administration (50%)
  • Provide leadership for research finance, billing, and administrative teams.
  • Oversee clinical trial budget development and contract negotiations.
  • Ensure effective management of coverage analysis and research billing compliance activities.
  • Oversee CTMS calendar development and post-award revenue recognition functions.
  • Collaborate with investigators, research directors, coordinators, and operations leaders to develop sustainable financial plans.
  • Serve as a strategic resource for physicians and research personnel.
  • Monitor emerging industry, regulatory, reimbursement, and research finance trends.
  • Facilitate resolution of budgeting, contracting, billing, and operational barriers.
• Continuous Improvement Leadership
  • Lead process improvement initiatives across the clinical trial lifecycle.
  • Utilize Lean methodologies to reduce waste, eliminate inefficiencies, and improve cycle times.
  • Establish process controls that improve quality, compliance, and operational consistency.
  • Monitor key operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
  • Sponsor cross-functional improvement projects focused on startup, contracting, budgeting, billing compliance, and study execution.
• Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (20%)
  • Direct grant administration activities supporting sponsored programs.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, sponsor, state, and institutional requirements.
  • Collaborate with Foundation, Finance, Compliance, and Internal Audit teams.
  • Support annual audits and risk assessments.
  • Evaluate grant administration workflows and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and service delivery.
  • Standardize grant administration processes and documentation across the organization.
• Research Business and Financial Operations (30%)
  • Develop and maintain the annual OHRI operating and research budget.
  • Oversee research information systems and operational support functions.
  • Develop financial models for new business opportunities, programs, and capital investments.
  • Prepare executive-level reports, forecasts, analyses, and strategic recommendations.
  • Partner with Corporate Finance and OHRI leadership on financial planning and performance management.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
  • Develop and maintain an Operational Excellence roadmap for Research Business Services.
  • Lead enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives supporting OHRI strategic goals.
  • Utilize Lean tools including SIPOC Mapping, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, A3 Problem Solving, Standard Work Development, and Control Planning.
  • Standardize workflows across Research Business Services functions.
  • Establish governance structures that sustain operational improvements.
  • Develop and maintain departmental process inventories and process ownership frameworks.
  • Identify automation and technology-enabled improvement opportunities.
  • Facilitate Kaizen events and multidisciplinary improvement workshops.
  • Establish operational scorecards and KPI dashboards.
  • Monitor productivity, quality, financial performance, compliance, and customer service metrics.
  • Lead capacity planning and workload optimization efforts.
  • Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Support development and execution of OHRI's strategic vision.
  • Serve as departmental representative on internal and external leadership committees.
  • Build effective relationships with stakeholders across OhioHealth and external partners.
  • Identify emerging risks, opportunities, and operational trends impacting research administration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Public Health, Pharmacy, Clinical Research, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of research administration experience.
• Minimum 3 years of research finance, billing, grants management, or clinical trial budget development experience.
• Progressive leadership experience in healthcare, academic medicine, research administration, or related fields.
• Direct and indirect project leadership experience.
• Clinical research operational and financial management experience.

Specialized Knowledge

• Research Administration: Clinical trial startup and ongoing administration; research finance and billing compliance; budget negotiation and contract management; federal grant administration; sponsored program management; CMS billing regulations; federal research regulations and sponsor requirements; GCP and regulatory compliance principles.
• Financial Management: Financial planning and forecasting; research portfolio financial oversight; revenue cycle management; budget development and monitoring; variance analysis and financial performance reporting; research business analytics.
• Technology & Systems: Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS); research databases; Workday, Strata, EPIC, REDCap, Clinical Conductor, or related systems; data analytics and business intelligence tools.
• Operational Excellence & Lean Leadership: Lean methodology and continuous improvement principles; A3 problem solving; Root Cause Analysis; Value Stream Mapping; SIPOC development; process mapping and workflow redesign; standard work development; change management methodologies; quality management principles; performance measurement systems and KPI development; operational risk assessment and mitigation.
• Business Leadership: Strategic planning; organizational development; team leadership and coaching; stakeholder engagement; executive communication; cross-functional collaboration.

Desired Attributes

• Master's degree preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
• Project Management certification preferred.
• Commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional project and program management skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities.
• Ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective facilitation and coaching skills.
• Ability to influence across multiple organizational levels.
• Results-oriented leadership style.
• High degree of accountability and ownership.
• Strong financial acumen.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Passion for innovation, efficiency, and service excellence.

Behavioral Competencies

• Maintains confidentiality of log-on password(s) and security of other authentication devices.
• Ensures privacy and security of information entrusted to their care.
• Uses company business assets and information resources for management-approved purposes only.
• Adheres to all information privacy and security policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Promptly reports information security incidents to the OhioHealth Information Security Officer.